In New York City, the Christian Coalition campaigned for 288 seats on 32 boards. During the election, they denied fielding candidates but declared victory when 66 won.

In Lake County, Fla., the new board proposed that American culture be taught as “superior to other foreign or historic cultures.”

This map [to come –JBT] is far from exhaustive since stealth campaigning makes tracking difficult. (Citizens for Excellence in Education claims that more than 6,000 of its members were elected in 1993, but the group won’t provide names or locations.) Still, certain trends are clear:

Religious-right candidates are running for school boards nationwide, not just in Bible Belt pockets.

They’re successful. One-third of last year’s candidates won.

Their strategies are developed and nurtured by national groups.

They make a deliberate effort to obscure their views and affiliations.

Fact:

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